The UK has been accused of committing “serious human rights violations” over its continued use of indefinite prison sentences, as United Nations experts urged the Government to take immediate action to resentence thousands of prisoners still held under the abolished Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) regime.
Three UN special rapporteurs have called on ministers to introduce an urgent resentencing programme for the nearly 2,400 prisoners who remain subject to IPP sentences, warning that the system continues to inflict severe psychological harm.
IPP sentences were introduced to detain offenders considered a risk to the public but were abolished in 2012 after widespread criticism. However, the legislation was not applied retrospectively, leaving thousands of prisoners serving indefinite terms long after completing their minimum tariffs. Many who are released also face repeated recalls to prison for breaching strict licence conditions, often over relatively minor issues.
The creator of the sentencing regime, former Home Secretary Lord David Blunkett, has previously described the policy as the biggest regret of his political career.
A cross-party Justice Committee concluded in 2022 that IPP sentences were “irredeemably flawed” and recommended that all remaining prisoners be resentenced. Despite growing calls for reform and reports that 96 IPP prisoners have taken their own lives in custody, successive governments have declined to introduce retrospective changes.
In a strongly worded statement, the UN experts responsible for monitoring torture, extrajudicial executions, and judicial independence warned that the sentencing regime leaves prisoners trapped in a cycle of prolonged punishment, repeated recalls, worsening mental health and diminishing hope.
They said the uncertainty surrounding indefinite detention causes severe psychological suffering and may amount to psychological torture due to the heightened risks of self-harm and suicide.
The latest intervention follows a complaint submitted by leading international lawyer Dr Felicity Gerry KC, highlighting the cases of eight prisoners still serving IPP sentences.
Among them is Thomas White, who has spent almost 14 years in prison after being jailed for robbing a mobile phone. The complaint states that his mental health deteriorated significantly during imprisonment, leading him to set himself on fire, while concerns remain that his condition may prevent him from ever meeting the Parole Board’s release criteria.
Another case involves Joseph Brady, who has spent 18 years in prison despite receiving a minimum tariff of four years. Having been released and recalled four times, he has reportedly suffered serious mental health deterioration and repeated incidents of self-harm linked to the uncertainty of indefinite detention.
Kerry Parish-McCann has served 17 years after receiving a three-year tariff for robbery. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder and epilepsy, she has repeatedly been released and recalled while experiencing significant trauma and ongoing mental health difficulties.
The UN experts expressed particular concern about prisoners with disabilities, neurodivergence, acquired brain injuries, severe mental health conditions and histories of childhood trauma, warning that many of these vulnerabilities were either overlooked at sentencing or inadequately addressed throughout imprisonment and parole.
They stressed that imprisonment should focus on rehabilitation and reintegration, arguing that a sentencing system which offers no realistic pathway to release fundamentally conflicts with those principles.
The rapporteurs renewed calls for the UK Government to carry out a comprehensive resentencing exercise for all remaining IPP prisoners. If a full review cannot be delivered immediately, they recommended introducing clear criteria for a phased resentencing programme.
They said the UK has a duty to protect the dignity and rights of people in custody and warned that the continued existence of the discredited sentencing regime cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely.
The latest complaint is the second major submission to the United Nations concerning IPP sentences, with another case involving five prisoners also under investigation by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
The intervention came as dozens of families protested outside the Ministry of Justice before marching to the House of Commons, calling for the abolition of the remaining IPP sentences.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said abolishing IPP sentences in 2012 was the right decision and insisted support for affected prisoners has since improved.
The department added that it remains committed to achieving more safe and sustainable releases while ensuring public protection, and said it is considering the concerns raised before issuing a formal response.